A Tale of Two Boys – Chapter 1

     Jake walked slowly towards the classroom, eyes on the floor. Arriving at the door he paused momentarily and sighed. Back to hell!! he thought to himself. The start of another year of pretending. Fixing a smile to his face he slid open the door.
     A few people looked up as he entered, smiling, one called a word of welcome.
     ‘Heya Jake!!’ Michelle called from where she sat.
     ‘Hey!!’ Jake called back as he began walking towards the group.
     
     For Jake, Michelle was the closest thing he had to a friend. She noticed him but after the ‘incident’ she said, ‘I don’t know where you’ve gone, Jake, but I’m waiting to be you friend when you come back.’ The ‘incident’, for Jake, was the straw that broke the camels back.
     He was only 7 at the time. The teacher told the class to make a group with all their friends. Chairs shuffled and children scrambled into groups, all except Jake. Alone and forgotten, no-one wanted him in their group except Michelle but all the other girls with her refused to have a boy in their group. The teacher asked the some of boys to let Jake join their group, and their replies shook Jake to his very core,
     ‘We don’t want a teachers pet in out group.’
     ‘If he’s in our group he’ll do the project by himself and that’s not fair.’
     ‘He’s not really our friend anyway.’
     ‘Just let the smarty pants do the project on his own.’
     Jake was devastated and vowed to himself that day, that he would do all he could to fit in. this is a promise he struggled to keep everyday.

     Jake strode towards his classmates who were chatting happily about their summers when something or rather someone caught his eye.
      Wow!! Jake thought before he could catch himself. He gazed curiously at the new boy seated alone at the back of the class. He’s so… beautiful! I did not just think that. The boy raised his chocolate brown eyes to met Jakes and glared with such intensity Jake flinched away. He continued on to the group and joined the noisy of his classmates but his mind was elsewhere.

      Damn it!! Why do I always have to do that? That’s one person I’ve already scared off today. Mathew looked up at the strawberry blond, who met his gaze then quickly looked away. Strange, I didn’t think he’d dare to look at me after that. There’s something different about this boy that I just can’t place. What do I care anyway? Mathew was telling the truth, he didn’t care but his curiosity got the better of him and he kept glancing up at the boy. To Mathew he was like a puzzle just waiting to be solved. Great!! I love a good challenge.

     Jake kept sneaking glances at the new boy but every time the boy caught him and forced him to look away. I wonder who he is. He looks familiar. He isn’t your average sort of guy. I wonder what it is about him… Jake sneaked another look. It didn’t take long for the boys eyes to find his and Jake was forced again to avert his gaze.
      It’s just like a game. The object is simple, force the other into submission and from the looks of it I’m getting beat. Jake looked up again wondering how he could beat this guy when his name brought him back to reality.
     ‘Jake!’ Michelle called. ‘What’s up with you? You’re staring.’
     ‘No I’m not!’ Jake replied defensively. ‘I was just… wondering who he is. He looks familiar.’
     ‘Of course he would.’ One of the others chimed in. ‘He’s world famous pianist Mathew Reed!’
     Jake looked up at Mathew, a new sense of recognition in his eyes and a glimmer of admiration.
      I was right, he’s no where near average. I can’t believe he’s so comfortable being himself. He doesn’t pretend to be someone he’s not to fit in. I wish I could be like that but then id be alone… like him. Jakes heart mealted. He alone, the way I am and I’ve fought so hard not to be. Jake was in pain just thinking about it. The isolation. The separation. A new resolve formed in Jake, he would not let this boy go through that, no matter what.

     Mathew noticed a change in the boys’ eyes. Their playful game had turned to something serious. He didn’t like it. This puzzle is getting harder by the minuet. I can’t read him like I can other people. There’s a hardness in his eyes like he’s set his mind to do something, chances are I won’t like this.

      If I’m going to do this I might as well start now. Jake got up from his chair and left the group, walking over to the desk where Mathew sat. A fierce stare nearly forced him to retreat but he had his mind set. This is something he was going to do.

      He better not try to start something. The boy walked up and smiled.
     ‘Hi!’ What the hell is he up to? Mathew wondered but he ignored the boy.
     ‘I’m Jake. Nice to meet you.’
     ‘Get lost.’
     ‘How are you?’ Jake asked, ignoring Mathews’ previous comment.
     ‘I said, piss off!’

      This isn’t working, Jake realised. but I have to give it one last shot. ‘You were just back here on your own so I thought id just come hang out.’

     Rage flared from deep within Mathew Sympathy!! He’s giving me SYMPATHY?!!
     Mathew stood up, grabbing Jake by his collar he held him against the wall.
     ‘Do I look like I need your pity?’ Mathew shouted.
     Right at this moment Yazmin danced into the room. Her eyes settled on Mathew and the number one fan-girl gasped in delight. She ran across the room arms wide to embrace him.
     ‘MATTY!!!’
     Mathews’ free hand flew from his side, catching the girl on the side of the face sending her stumbling back across the room. By this stage Mathew had the attention of the whole class. Yazmin shakily got to her feet, her eyes beginning to water as she rushed from the room followed quickly buy a number of her friends.
     All eyes were fixed on Mathew, whose eyes were still locked with Jakes.
     ‘I don’t need your pity. I don’t need your sympathy. I don’t need ANYTHING from you, from any of you.’ He growled turning his head towards the onlookers.
     ‘So leave me the fuck alone.’
     With that he released Jakes collar and Jake fell to the floor. Mathew returned to his seat as if nothing had happened and out of fear the rest of the class followed suit, returning to their conversations but they talked only in whispered voices.
     Jake peered up at Mathew from his position on the floor. Mathew meet his gaze with a look of contempt.
      Look what you’ve made me do. School hasn’t even started and I’ve succeeded in scaring an entire class. At least now ill have some peace. No-one will dare challenge me after that.

      I cant give up hope. I just lost any chance of being normal and accepted for this boy. I wont give up on him and I will win this game.
     
Jake raised his eyes to meet Mathews’ hateful stare. Then he did something that surprised Mathew and him both, he smiled. Mathew faltered, dumbfounded. Looks like the puzzle just got way harder. He noted as he regained his composure. Jake lifted himself off the floor and made his way to his seat as Mr Watt entered the room.